DEDICANT OATH REVIEW

Nov. 7, 2010

It turned out by no manipulation of my own, that Samhein and not Mabon would be the high rite to make my Dedicant Oath. Everything seemed to lead to it being the right time anyway, especially when I received my rune back after a year and it was the rune of Inguz, completion and new beginnings. 

We had three fires going to honor the three-fold goddesses we were calling, Morrigan and Brigid, as well as to keep warm as it was very cold out. I brought my harp and put it beside the main altar. I also brought a poppet I made out of raffia with which I put inside various incense and juniper, as well as a clipping of my own hair. I requested to make the oath upon the Troth Ring and this was granted.

Caryn, one of our two Priestesses, would hold the Troth Ring and accept the oath from me to the Gods. I saw her as the intermediary between them and myself. We waited until everyone had finished their personal offerings, which were very beautiful, and then we went to stand in the center of the circle between the well, the fires and the tree. Before I began, Caryn announced to everyone that an oath upon the Troth Ring was binding and not to be entered into lightly, and then she looked at me as though to ask me, “Are you CERTAIN about doing this?” I was smiling from ear to ear.

I spoke firmly, although I was nervous/excited and stumbled over a couple words. My oath was too long for me to memorize so I read it. Caryn was smiling the whole time. In the first half of my oath, I stood and gave honor to both the Great Queen and then Odin. After this, I honored Manannan and asked him to take me as his charge and I took him for my patron. I then honored the Kindred and ended with “in meager way, I offer myself, a gift for a gift.” After this I placed my poppet into the sacred fire next to me and watch it consume me.

At this point, I entered into my actual oath, so I knelt down upon one knee as I gave it. It felt good. It felt right and as I finished I felt a charge come from the Troth Ring and down into my hand, my arm and then all of me. I was so very happy. My oath was sealed. I path was sealed. I was officially on my way

Then I took my harp and attempted to play a Celtic melody from Enya’s cd, “The Celts.” I did ok, messed up a couple times, but I was basically told or made to understand that I was to play it in conjunction with my oath, my oath being my personal offering to all the gods, and the harp was a gift to Manannan. My neighbor whom I brought as a guest told me that when I began, everything went absolutely still and quiet. I was not aware of this, but she was insistant this was true. 

Later, after the waters of life, I was moved by the Gods to get up and hug every single person in attendance. However, I didn’t just hug, but after the hug was done, I placed both hands upon their shoulders and looked into their eyes. They didn’t understand, but what I was doing was sharing what had been given to me as I finished my oath. I had been blessed in a special way and was supposed to bless each person in turn. It was a powerful experience.

The entire high rite was a joyous one. The altars both inside the building outside in the Sanctuary were beautiful. The offerings by everyone were equally beautiful. The gods were definitely there. I felt Manannan early and was moved to tears several times. Before the Morrigan was called, a dog in the distance began howling like a wolf, and I knew she was coming on her own accord. Brigid lit a fire in my heart, a fire of joy and determination. 

This night couldn’t have been more perfect and everything told me that my oath had been accepted.

First beautiful day of late summer today, and I was sitting out on my back deck enjoying it.  The fluffy clouds drifting by distracted me and I watched them as if I'd never seen the like before.  It got me thinking.

In this age, we can seed clouds for rain and we can spray them to disperse.  We can manipulate stem cells to form as we wish.  We have computers that can create microscopic nano computers.  We can study the stars, have gone to the moon, and have sent sattelites beyond our solar system.  We have split the atom and are on the verge of teleportation. 

Yet can we control the rotation of the Earth, the jetstream, the tides?  Can we even know when the Earth is going to adjust herself?  Do we yet understand the mysteries of the ocean or the mechanisms of our own sun?  When a persons' spirit is leaving, can we keep it here with us?  Control is an illusion.

We think we are gods, but we are not.  We live each in our own little world.  Each world is a world of its own, with its own problems, solutions, worries, joys, friends, families and enemies.  Times that by how many people are living in the world today and its mind boggling. 

Go beyond that and realize that humanity is the minority on this planet compared to animals, marine life and insect life.  One tree alone will hold the differant worlds of squirrels, birds, and insects.  Each of those worlds are held in balance to each other.  The squirrels hide the nuts of the tree and sometimes forget where they put them so that in a place unexpected, a new tree will grow.  Insects live in and around the trees breaking down the older pieces and making room for the roots, and birds will eat the insects while the tree gives shelter to all.  Each one has a purpose.  Everything is in balance in that one great world of one single tree.  Each tree is another miriade of worlds.  So many unto their own. 

We are guests upon a boat, going wherever it wishes.  We are along for the ride.  We don't control the rudder.  We can only control the yes or the no to learning, understanding, respecting, and walking humbly with our kin.